Automatic Shift Lever and Cable Adjustments

[Josh B]

I have been having considerable difficulty in getting my shift lever in harmony with my transmission.
In every description of this operation I have found, both at the shift lever and at the transmission linkage, it instructs one to place the lever in the "D" position and hang a 3 pound weight on the lever.
I have seen others discuss their ideas for a 3 pound weight, but am yet to discover how they expect the column lever to remain in D while it has such a weight hanging on the end of it.

Another related question is where do you start this process in order to get them into harmony, at the column or at the transmission?

My apologies if this is all just too simple, my mind doesn't seem to do simple very well

 

[Dirtman]

First go under the dash and make sure the 2 torx bolts on the shift tube are tight.

Then disconnect the shift cable, place the transmission lever (on the transmission) in drive, then place the shift lever (on the column) in drive (just physically put it in position, ignore the indicator if it's not aligned properly (3 clicks down). hang a 3 pound weight on the column shifter then use the adjustment slide to re-atach the shift cable to the transmission in the proper setting. This properly aligns the cable.

Then if the indicator needle is off, go back under the dash and adjust the tiny cable that moves the needle.

 

[Josh B]

Thanks Dirtman.
It seems all the manuals either define adjusting one end or the other, assuming the opposite end is already properly adjusted.
I've been having a terrible time trying to figure how to do these adjustments from the inside out

 

[Dirtman]

When I did the valve body on my trans I started from scratch, both ends of the cable disconnected and the above procedure worked great. I'm not 100% sure if the actual adjustment on the transmission end of the cable is the same on your truck as mine but either way it should work fine that way. But like I said you need to start with insuring the shift tube is tight and not worn or the whole procedure is pointless.

When I get home I can scan the pages of the factory workshop manual for you if you want.

 

[Josh B]

Thanks again Dirtman, that was plenty enough to help me get it sorted out, somewhat. It still isn't perfect, and may never be, but I got Park back!
So now there's 4 "gears" on it, Park, Race, Neutral, annd Drive!

 

[Dirtman]

Glad you got it fixed.

If you have a digital range sensor (black box behind the shift lever on the trans) they wear out and can cause issues getting into the proper gear. Mine was fubar at 50k. Dunno if a 93 has a digital range sensor or a basic neutral safety switch though.